45 Min Bike (A) --169--

COMMONWEALTH -- Another bike in the living room, this time to the USC/Washington game while Maggie slept. Coolio.

Going to aim at getting a ride in tomorrow on the LA River Bike Trail. We'll see if it happens, though. No reason it shouldn't, but Beck is starting her running club thing tomorrow, so who knows.

Would have done an hour, but thought it better to hold off in case the ride window comes in 10 hours from now. Prolly tomorrow night, though. It will be very, very good to get out for real again.

5K Run (A)

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -- Ran a little 5K on what might be the worst treadmill I can imagine. It wasn't a cheap machine...it just had a weird feature of kind of stopping in the middle of the each foot strike. I don't know if that was supposed to simulate running outdoors or something, but I hated it.

5K -- 25:23 (8:11/mile)

Took a 10 minute or so swim afterward, as well.

60 Min -- BIKE (A) --168.5--

COMMONWEALTH -- Another Top Chef Wednesday spent pedaling in the living room. With Beck back at work, I have to make sure the wee one is off to the races herself before I can hop on the bike. So it takes a little planning.

This hour on the bike seemed much easier physically. I wonder if that was because I rode "smarter" or if I'm just developing a form and understanding the gearing a bit more. It seemed like I pushed hard from time to time (commercial breaks.) Lotsa sweat. Blew through my water bottle. Moved the dammm thing all the way across the living room (need to get little door stops to help hold the thing in place.)

Maggster loves the sound of the bike. It puts her right off to sleep. This is a pretty cool tradition. I get to watch a show I have fallen profoundly in love with, the kid gets some shuteye and my legs get a few miles tossed into them. Someday (playoffs? October?) maybe I can hit up a whole baseball game on that thing.

My ass needs some serious toughening up by then. Jeez bike seats don't give you much other than agony.

5 Mile Run **RUN HIT REMIX** (A+) --167--

LOS ANGELES -- Another year, another awesome Nike Run Hit Remix. This year it was MC Hammer, Naughty by Nature, Dawn from En Vogue, Sir Mix A Lot and the Sugar Hill Gang.



It was something around a 41:40 depending on the chip time. Might have some more pics, grafs and other fun depending on how Nike comes through on their promises ofwacky stuff...so stay tuned. I'm pretty pumped that this blog is now really getting to a point where I can use it to compare years to other years. So congrats to my dumb ass for sticking to something for more than two months.

On the run front, it was pretty standard. It was an extraodinarily well run event. Much, much better than past years...and the past two years were great. There was no jam at the start...clear sailing the whole way. Incredible that I was like three minutes slower this year...wonder what the time would have been last year given the same clear course.

Less turns this year. No frat row. Turns out that was fine with me. We ran from the Coliseum to Staples and back, then right on Exposition, then to the stadium tunnel. Same awesome finish on the field. Same rad VIP tent.

I have to say, I likely paid a slight price for the strong run on Thursday. But balls to all that. I'm in no shape to really be concerned about the time. And honestly, I have to say I think I ran within two or three minutes of the best I could have run at this point, which is a decent performance in my competitive context.

So the legs were a bit dodgy at first, but dusted off. After the turn, felt a bit stronger and...no lying...I owe the Sugarhill Gang at least 1:15 as the words, "Huh, huh, huh, huh...it's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from goin' undah" rolled across the course. How freaking awesome. I really felt like there were two "Smithsonian" moments...one being this. "Don't push me, cuz I'm close to the...edge...I'm trying not to lose my head. He-huh-huh-huh." With that wind at my back, it was just a matter of getting to the last water (I was pretty under-hydrated...that nasty feeling of both having to take a leak AND being parched.) And then simply finishing it out as we passed Sir Mix A Lot. I'd rather seen Positive K...no offense, SMALs.

Some oatmeal, some pineapple, some chips, a banana and tons of water (still never hit the can, which should prove the lack of hydro beyond a reasonable doubt) and then met up with the team in the VIP tent thanks to JDP's cousin.

MC Hammer was honestly somewhat impressive as a person. The second Smithy came when he signed one of his dolls that someone passed up to the stage...still in the box. He took a shot at the people who trashed him for selling out and now can't wait to line up vodka, clothes and Vitamin Water deals. Really cool.

"Yeah, I'll sign this thing. Because I'm proud of it," he said.

It struck me that his music was making everyone really happy (of course, lots of runners with food after a race isn't hard to get smiling). This is what pop music used to be about as late as 1990 or whatever. He was a huge "hip hop" star, somewhat trendsetting beats and decent lyrics...and it was all revolving around positive stuff. I never really thought of that. And he hasn't changed a bit or gotten bitter or tried to be something he's not (in the end.) He's just MC Hammer and his band of arm flailing dancers, busting out the craziest moves in manic bursts of fury, with feet moving all over the place at all times. It's Oakland still, and it's weird. But it definitely isn't fake. Which is saying something because this whole time I thought he was the biggest phoney...instead, it's the guys just trying to be real. Sorry to get too serious about it, but it was surprisingly touching. I still don't really care for his music...and the real reason he flamed out was he just wasn't cutting edge anymore. It all passed him by.

But watching him sign that doll was bananas. It was like on Northern Exposure when the ex-PGA guy who blew the Masters gets his chance as a chimney sweep to make the same putt he missed in another lifetime. Loved it.

Another cool thing...I got to give my medal to the Maggster.

6 Mile Run (AA) -- 165--

LOS FELIZ -- Using some clever route extensions (going back and forth on the streets between Hillhurst and Commonwealth while going south on Hillhurst from Ambrose to Franklin) we turned the normal route into a sixer.

Originally, I set out to do a bit over five just to get used to the distance for Saturday. But I just felt great and kept going. Honestly, I could have gone a mile or so further, I think. Those are nice days. I even chased a guy down on the last hill. Picked up more than half a block on him in about a quarter mile. Not bad.

Legs feel great. I have to say the bike is a great way to get some work on the legs without blowing them out or wrecking 'em. I felt more energy and spark in my legs tonight than I would have if I'd done nothing, I'd say.

Also...I think I'm right about the weight thing...five pounds less than 24 hours ago? Running really pulls weight off you, while the bike -- at least in this moderate range of an hour of activity -- seems to be much more gentle. Also a major benefit in terms of getting rides in during "off" days from running.

60 MIN BIKE (A) -- 170--

COMMONWEALTH -- Top Chef was on, and CJ got bounced...so it was a good thing I bought that thing that turns your road bike into a stationary bike.

Hopped on, pedalled for a long time, hopped off. It's incredible how much you sweat during a bike...but you also seem to retain much more water in a weird way. Like you never get that deep drying out of a similar length run, but you are incredibly thirsty. I just can't explain the additional weight any other way. Plus I didn't feel at all faint or parched when I was done.

I was tired though. My legs are certainly not in Tour de Awesome form. But they will be if I stick to it. It's funny...an hour on the treadmill is a serious commitment...an hour on the bike was a serious annoyance, but not a major crimp in the day. This biking thing really seems to be kinda great. Knees don't hurt. Ankles aren't stiff. Feet aren't all chopped up. Ass was killing me.

6 Mile Run - (A) --165--

LOS FELIZ -- Took the Blvd plus Hollywood loop, which is just around 7 miles, but I cut the last mile out so as to be a good setup for the Nike run this weekend. Hurrah.

It wasn't easy either physically or mentally. But tacking on mileage is always a bit goofy and I'm attempting to avoid pushing too hard in the ramp up. Push slightly hard consistently as opposed to killing it here and there. It's my latest attempt to bite back at the injury bug.

I think I ran past a Nike sponsored running group. I really don't enjoy running with groups. Maybe I should try and get used to that. Might help with adjusting to race crowds?

5 Mile Run -- (AA)

LAS VEGAS -- Post Maxim Oasis party, we hit the sack at 2:30a. But at 6a, I was surprised to roll out of bed and get ready for a run. This is why I bring the running stuff on most trips...even if it isn't likely, sometimes you just find yourself wanting to run. And getting caught wanting to run without your gear is too much to take.

So anywho, I throw on the shoes in a haze and start out the door. My shoes didn't quite feel right, but I drank some water and got ready to just chart a course. Ended up just going up the strip past Treasure Island and looping back, with a few quick detours here and there.

By about mile .25, I realized I had forgotten to put in the foam inserts in my shoes. I usually take them out to let my shoes dry. But it had come too far to get up get going to stop and go back for that. So I accepted the coming blisters and shin pain.

Great run. Fun seeing people slogging back from all-night benders still in the same clothes and looking rough. Sun was up, very friendly running community despite the set up. I saw a few runners and without exception, they all gave the wave or nod.

Also ran into a Canuck who was running. Helped her with directions and chatted on the way back. It was good, too, because it helped me just leg it out without focusing on my stupid shoes that were tearing with their stitches into my feet.

Ended up feeling just great. Great. Only thing that kept this one from being an outstanding was my general lack of good running fitness AND those dammm inserts. Oww.

But awesome walking into a casino at 7a coated in sweat. People look at you like you're superhuman.

45 Mins -- BIKE -- (A) -- 169.5

LOS FELIZ -- There has been some activity in the past week that is not reflected here. Jumped rope for 30 mins or so on the deck on Monday-ish. And took a test ride on a bike on Wednesday. And then a little indoor bike last night.

Today, I took the Roubaix out for the first time for real. I'll look up the mileage and add later, but it was pretty cool. It's so much faster than running. You can really fly on flats and downhills. But strangely, uphill is actually worse than running. Not sure if it's just my lack of experience or what...but I could almost swear it's easier to run up the hills around here than bike.

I do need some serious experience before I say anything. Just some thoughts.

One thing I'm sure of...I hate cars. I hate drivers. They are, with some exceptions, a-holes. Bikers have it much worse than runners in that you have to deal with cars everywhere.

Another thing...I'm lucky to live in this hood...great hills, beautiful views and decent biking just out the front door. Eventually, I'll probably be packing things up and going to ocean for a long-haul ride...but for now, this is fine.

Legs feel great. No knee aches or ankle aches or really anything. Legs feel like I've been sitting around all day. Love that no impact.